Vula Emehlo* Eye Project
Good Shepherd Hospital, Siteki, Swaziland
The Trust has supported the work of Dr. Jono Pons and the eye surgery project in Siteki since we were established as a Trust. Indeed, the needs of the project were the main impetus for setting up the Trust in the first place. (One of our trustees has worked in Siteki with Dr. Pons). We have been able to cover the costs of surgery for numerous patients too poor to afford transforming cataract operations and have also funded the purchase of essential equipment. The project has grown in size and reputation over the years and now has access to differing sources of funding. The main supporter of the project remains Christian Blind Mission.
The project continues to transform hundreds of lives every year by dealing with the causes of avoidable blindness. It remains the only eye surgery service within Swaziland. We continue to be impressed with the quality of care provided by Dr. Pons and his team. Despite this, we feel that our primary fund-raising efforts should now be directed into new areas and different projects. We have been able to assist with the purchase of equipment for this project during the past year and are still happy to accept donations specifically for the eye surgery work.
* "Vula Emehlo" is the SiSwati form of the Zulu "Vula Amehlo" - both mean the same thing: "Open your eyes".
